Loyola University New Orleans celebrates a century!

One hundred years and countless achievements have come and gone since Loyola University was chartered in New Orleans in 1912. Since that time, the Jesuit-Catholic university has grown to house five colleges and two professional schools, educating 5,000 students a year with the guidance and support of more than 1,100 faculty and staff. For a century, Loyola has not only contributed to the economic health of the greater New Orleans area, almost $164 million last year alone, but it has also produced men and women who serve as catalysts of change in their communities by exemplifying the ethical and values-laden education they received at their alma mater.

Loyola’s 17th and current president, the Rev. Kevin Wm. Wildes, S.J., Ph.D., believes that creates quite a ripple effect outside Loyola’s campus. “Loyola University’s first 100 years were paved with great ambition and outstanding achievements. Today, Loyola is stronger than ever and poised to usher in its next century of impacting the world beyond its classrooms,” Wildes said.

Throughout 2012 and 2013, Loyola University New Orleans will celebrate the 100th anniversary of its chartering as a university. The centennial will be observed from April 2012 to May 2013, featuring a number of signature and academic events that celebrate and explore Loyola’s rich history. Festivities kicked off on April 10, 2012, featuring a host of public activities and lectures on campus following throughout the week, finally leading to a major kick-off event on April 14, 2012, the Founder’s Day Celebration.

In addition, the university recently launched a centennial website to give a nod to its past 100 years, www.loyno.edu/2012, which contains personal stories and photos showing the enormous impact a Jesuit education has on its students. The website also features milestones, official events, historical photos, video interviews and Loyola’s plan for the future, illustrating how the university was and still is a place of innovation, academic achievement and lasting friendships.

To permanently document Loyola’s unique history, the university commissioned the publication of “Founded on Faith: A History of Loyola University New Orleans,” written by professor of history Bernard Cook, Ph.D. The book, on sale at www.loyno.bkstr.com, provides a definitive history of the Jesuits in Louisiana and explores Loyola’s impact to the city of New Orleans through a colorful cast of students, alumni, Jesuits, faculty and other characters.

The week leading up to the centennial kick-off offers a host of activities that celebrate Loyola’s history and accomplishments, many of which are free and open to the public. See below for a listing of public events. For more information or a complete listing of events, please visit www.loyno.edu/2012.

MEDIA: For more information or to request to cover the Centennial Founder’s Day kick-off celebration on Saturday, April 14 at 6:30 p.m. on Marquette Lawn, please contact Loyola’s Director of Public Affairs Meredith Hartley at mhartley@loyno.edu or 504-722-6078.

Founder’s Day Picnic Dinner Celebration with Live Music and Fireworks
(OPEN TO LOYOLA ALUMNI, STUDENTS, FACULTY and STAFF ONLY)
Marquette Lawn, 6:30 p.m., complimentary refreshments, light cash bar, hosted by Emmy award-winning alumnus Tom Llamas ’01, NBC News correspondent and anchor, music by the Y’at Pack and Johnny Sketch and the Dirty Notes with a special appearance by the 610 Stompers, followed by a fireworks finale.